Free Level 1 Professional Cookery Course in Nottingham. Classes run at Nottingham College City Hub. You'll spend a year building practical kitchen skills full-time, covering a range of dishes, food theory, key ingredients, food hygiene, and health and safety. The course also includes front-of-house skills: waitering, barista, and bar work, using a commercial training restaurant and industry-standard kitchens. Entry requirements apply (see below). This is a City and Guilds professional cookery qualification.
Who this course is for
This course is perfect if you have a passion for food, enjoy cooking and are looking develop your basic skills as a chef.
Entry requirements
You'll need 4 GCSEs at grades 9-3 (A*-D), including English Language and maths - one of English Language or maths must be grades 9-4 (A*-C). Functional Skills Level 1 can be used as equivalent to GCSE grade 3 (D) and Functional Skills Level 2 can be used as equivalent to GCSE grade 4 (C) or above.
What you will learn
You'll prepare and cook a range of dishes using professional kitchen techniques.
You'll develop knowledge of key ingredients and food theory.
You'll apply food hygiene and health and safety practices in a kitchen environment.
You'll practise waitering, barista, and bar skills in a commercial restaurant setting.
You'll work creatively with food in industry-standard training kitchens.
How you will learn
Learning is hands-on and classroom-based. You'll train in industry-standard kitchens and a commercial restaurant on campus. Assessment is through practical tests, written assignments, and short-answer questions. Full-time daytime attendance is required throughout the year.
What you will need to bring
The centre will provide most materials. Nottingham College City Hub will confirm anything else you need before you start.
Where next
Jobs you could do
Chef: entry-level kitchen roles in restaurants, hotels, and cafés.
Kitchen assistant: supporting chefs in professional kitchen environments.
Commis chef: how to become a commis chef, the starting point in most kitchens.
Barista: café and coffee shop roles using the barista skills covered on the course.
Front-of-house team member: waitering and bar work in hospitality venues.
What you could study next
Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery (City and Guilds): the natural next step, building on your Level 1 skills for more advanced kitchen roles.
Apprenticeship in Commis Chef (Level 2): earn while you learn in a professional kitchen, combining on-the-job training with further study.
Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering: a standalone food hygiene qualification valued by hospitality employers.
